The following is an introduction to the types of available . Choose a record type and click the link<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On moving from one Monthly Meeting to another it was customary for Friends to take a certificate to the Monthly Meeting in the area to which they are moving . Although certificates had been in existence since the late 1650s it was not until the mid eighteenth century that the recording of these certificates became more commonplace. The conduct of the removing Friend was investigated by the issuing Monthly Meeting. If they were a ‘minister’ or an elder that was noted, as were a man’s wife and any children under 16 years of age. Certificates were not to be issued to :<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Disownable offences<\/strong> included:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reinstatement<\/strong> was to be undertaken by the Monthly Meeting responsible for disownment. If the individual had moved to a new area enquiries would need to be made of the new Monthly Meeting. In such cases a certificate of removal may be issued following reinstatement, the date of this certificate would not reflect the actual date of removal<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Quakers refusal to pay tithes led to them being subject to fines, distraint and imprisonment. They were anxious to record these hardships and persecutions. Locally these were copied into books of sufferings, which were kept by Monthly Meetings or Quarterly Meetings. These would be forwarded to London Yearly Meeting and recorded in the “great book of sufferings”. Friends House Library have a partial index up to 1791. The Meeting of Sufferings operated from London through a series of county correspondents .Friends House Library have a ‘working index’ to 1857.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Primary Sources<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each Quaker Meeting produced large volumes of writings in the form of minutes, decisions and queries. It should be remembered that these records are not infallible. Some books may no longer exist and of course the amount of detail they contain is reliant upon the clerk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Minute books of the Monthly Meetings will be the most helpful, these will contain details of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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Sufferings and Tithes<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Minute Books<\/h4>\n\n\n\n